USL MATCH PREVIEW | T2 travel to face Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Saturday

PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing the first of three consecutive road matches, T2 will travel to face Rio Grande Valley FC Toros at Toro Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10; kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (Pacific).

The match on Saturday marks the second and final meeting between T2 and Rio Grande Valley this season, with Portland falling 2-0 to the Toros on April 8 at Merlo Field.

T2 (8-14-4, 28pts) enter Saturday’s road match looking to build off a 4-0 win over Oklahoma City Energy FC at Merlo Field on Sept. 4, which was the largest margin of victory in team history and the club’s fourth shutout of the season. Midfielder Villyan Bijev notched his second brace of the season and was named to the USL Team of the Week for his performance against Energy FC. Additionally, midfielder Blake Bodily tallied his fourth goal of the season, while forward Augustine Williams recorded his first career goal. Through 26 games played, midfielder Neco Brett and Bijev are tied for the team lead in goals scored (5), while Bijev leads the team and ranks second in the USL in assists (7).

Rio Grande Valley (12-5-9, 45pts) heads into Saturday’s match following a 2-0 win on the road against Swope Park Rangers on Sept. 3 at Children’s Mercy Victory Field, which extended a five-game winning streak and a 10-match unbeaten run (6-0-4). Sitting in second place in the Western Conference, the Toros have a 6-2-5 record at home. Forward Ruben Luna, who last scored in the 2-0 win over Swope Park, has scored in his last five appearances and is tied for the team lead with six goals. Additionally, midfielder Jose Memo Rodriguez has also tallied six goals on the season and is tied with midfielder Robert Casner for the team lead in assists (5).

Saturday’s match will be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.

Following Saturday’s match, T2 will travel to face Arizona United SC at Peoria Sports Complex on Tuesday, Sept. 13; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).